What Is a Malicious Ad?
A malicious ad (also called "malvertising") is an advertisement that contains harmful code, misleading content, forced redirects, or any other behaviour that puts users at risk. Examples include:
- Ads that automatically redirect users to phishing or scam websites
- Ads that trigger unwanted downloads or malware installation
- Ads with fake virus alerts or tech support scams
- Ads promoting illegal products or services
- Ads with deceptive or fraudulent claims
How to Report a Malicious Ad
If you have encountered a malicious ad served through the TwinRed network, please report it immediately by following these steps:
- Capture the details — Take a screenshot of the ad and note the URL it redirects to, the time it appeared, and the website/zone where it was seen.
- Note the zone ID — If you are a publisher, locate the zone ID from your dashboard where the ad appeared.
- Contact TwinRed support — Submit a report via the TwinRed contact page or email the compliance team directly. Include all the details gathered above.
- Contact your account manager — If you have a dedicated account manager, reach out to them directly for a faster response.
What Happens After Reporting?
TwinRed's compliance team takes malvertising reports very seriously. Upon receiving a report:
- The reported ad and advertiser will be investigated promptly
- Ads confirmed as malicious will be immediately suspended
- The advertiser's account may be reviewed or terminated
- You will receive confirmation once the issue has been resolved
Advertiser Responsibilities
All advertisers on TwinRed are required to comply with platform policies. Submitting ads with malicious content, forced redirects, or deceptive practices is a violation of TwinRed's terms of service and will result in campaign suspension and possible account termination.
For a full overview of advertiser and publisher compliance requirements, please refer to the relevant compliance articles in this knowledge base.